Additional Background

Biotherapies for LifeAt CSL Behring, we are passionate about improving the quality of life for people with rare diseases such as primary immune deficiencies, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and genetic emphysema and to advancing critical care treatments and wound healing worldwide.

As a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapeutics industry, we research, develop, manufacture and market biotherapies used to treat serious diseases. Users of our therapies rely on them for their quality of life and, in many cases, for life itself. Our products truly are biotherapies for life.

What are Biotherapies? Our biotherapies are indicated for the treatment of rare diseases such as hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, primary immune deficiency disorders and inherited respiratory disease. Plasma-derived therapeutics can also prevent Rh factor problems in newborns, speed recovery from heart surgery, and help victims of shock and burns recover faster.

Plasma-derived proteins replace missing components in the blood to allow individuals with these chronic conditions to survive and lead healthier lives.

Biotherapies differ from conventional chemical-derived pharmaceuticals in many ways. They are derived from human plasma, or produced as their recombinant equivalents, instead of from chemicals. These expensive source materials comprise a much higher portion of the therapy’s cost than the chemicals used in pills and tablets.

Biotherapies undergo rigorous safety controls and inspections throughout every step of the yearlong manufacturing process, from the collection of plasma to the final packaging of the finished product.

While plasma therapeutics treat small patient populations, traditional pharmaceuticals may treat millions of patients worldwide. As a result, economies of scale in the plasma protein industry are much narrower than in the traditional pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the costs of production for plasma-derived medical therapies are typically around 70% of the selling price compared to only about 19% for chemical-based pharmaceuticals.

Our products are produced at facilities in Bern, Switzerland; Marburg, Germany; and Kankakee, Illinois, in accordance with international safety and quality standards. The company also operates ZLB Plasma, one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks throughout the United States and Germany. CSL Behring employs more than 7,000 people in 19 countries.

We are passionate about safety, quality and the customers we serve. Our extensive research and development and range of support services demonstrate our ongoing commitment to all who count on our products.

Not all products are available in every country. For specific information on products where you live, select your country from the drop-down box above.